Overview
The Department of Child Health was founded in 1964 under the visionary leadership of its first head, Dr. Susan De-Graft Johnson. Since then, it has grown into a tertiary referral centre dedicated to the medical and surgical care of children under the age of 13. With a commitment to excellence in healthcare, we provide a comprehensive range of specialised services for children facing a variety of medical and surgical challenges.
Our Leadership & Staff
The success of the Department of Child Health is a direct result of the dedication and expertise of our multidisciplinary team, led by Head of Department Prof. Catherine Segbefia, Administrator Benjamin Hayford Nkansah, Chief Nursing Officer Evelyn Kuma, Pharmacist In-Charge Roger Ahiable, Accountants Mr. Thomas Awuah and Kwesi Opoku-Boateng, Engineer Mr. Clifford Heneku, and Laboratory Specialist Mls. Christopher Nyimba.
Our Services
- Outpatient Department (OPD): acute care and specialised clinic services
- Emergency Room (ER): critical intervention for severely ill children
- General Paediatric Wards (P2, P2A, P3): medical inpatient care
- Children's Surgical Ward (P1) - surgical interventions for children
- Babies Unit: dedicated care for infants under six months
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): premature and critically ill newborns
- Paediatric Oncology Unit (POU): inpatient ward (26 beds) and day care unit (8 beds)
- Child Protection Unit: safeguarding and assessment of vulnerable children
- Home visits and follow-up care for children undergoing palliative treatment
Specialty Clinics
Our department runs several specialised clinics: Neurodevelopmental Clinic (Monday), Asthma Clinic (Tuesday), Diabetes & Endocrine Clinic (Tuesday), Cardiac Clinic & HIV Clinic (Wednesday), Sickle Cell Clinic (Thursday), and Neonatal Follow-Up Clinic (Friday).
Paediatric Oncology Unit
The Paediatric Oncology Unit (POU) includes both an inpatient oncology ward and an outpatient day care unit for children undergoing chemotherapy and other treatments. With 26 beds in the inpatient ward and 8 beds in the day care unit, we admit 160-180 new childhood cancer cases annually. We also have an outreach nursing team that provides home visits and follow-up care for children undergoing palliative treatment. Led by Professor Lorna Renner, the POU is committed to providing holistic care to children battling cancer, from diagnosis to recovery.
Child Protection Unit
Established in 2009, the Child Protection Unit plays a crucial role in safeguarding vulnerable children. The unit provides a child-friendly room for the assessment of children who may be victims of abuse. Our team, headed by Prof. Eben Badoe, is trained to handle sensitive cases with care and confidentiality.
Training and Education
As a leading centre of medical education, our department plays an integral role in training undergraduate medical students in paediatrics and child health. Additionally, we serve as a training site for paediatric post-graduate students and nursing students, contributing to the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Research and Development
The Department of Child Health is a vibrant hub for medical research, with extensive clinical data in areas such as paediatric oncology, neonatology, asthma, nutrition, infectious diseases, and sickle cell disease. We collaborate with other departments within the hospital, the Ministry of Health, and the University of Ghana to undertake groundbreaking research that informs better care for children in Ghana and beyond.
Facilities & Equipment
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
- General Paediatric Wards (P1, P2, P2A, P3)
- Babies Unit
- Paediatric Oncology Inpatient Ward (26 beds)
- Paediatric Oncology Day Care Unit (8 beds)
- Child Protection Unit with child-friendly assessment room
- Child Welfare Clinic
- Records and Biostatistics Unit
- Satellite Pharmacy
- Satellite Laboratory
- Satellite X-ray Unit
- Mothers' Hostel and Sunshine Hostel
Meet Our Team
Head of Department
- Prof. Catherine SegbefiaHead of Department
Department Leadership
- Benjamin Hayford NkansahAdministrator
- Evelyn KumaChief Nursing Officer
- Kwesi Opoku-BoatengAccountant
- Roger AhiablePharmacist In-Charge
- Mr. Thomas AwuahAccountant
- Mr. Clifford HenekuEngineer
- Mls. Christopher NyimbaLaboratory Specialist
Consultants and Senior Paediatricians
- Prof. Christabel Enweronu-Laryea
- Prof. Lorna Awo Renner
- Prof. Ebenezer Badoe
- Prof. Catherine Segbefia
- Dr. Joycelyn Assimeng Dame
- Dr. Taiba Afaa
- Dr. Evelyn Amoah
- Dr. Adwoa Afrane
- Dr. Victoria May Adabayeri
- Dr. Frank Owusu-Sekyere
- Dr. Abena Takyi
- Dr. Della Adzosii
- Dr. Claudia Adja-Sai
- Dr. William Obeng
- Dr. Gladys Lomotey
- Dr. Lily Gloria Tagoe
- Dr. Ernestina Schandorf
- Dr. Ewura Abena Manu
- Dr. Sally Manu
- Dr. Susan Zakariah
- Dr. Seyram Wordui
- Dr. Hilda Boye
- Prof. Nana Akyaa Yao